Pearl City, May 21, 2018 – The State Office of Elections and the Hawaii County Elections Division will be mailing Absentee Applications to over 6,000 voters assigned to Pahoa Community Center (04-03) and Pahoa High/Intermediate (04-04) due to the uncertain nature of the volcanic eruption in lower Puna.

Voters can use the Absentee Application to request a mail ballot for the 2018 Elections or to update their address if they have relocated. Completed applications should be submitted to the Clerk’s Office at 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1502, Hilo, Hawaii 96720.

Election officials will continue to monitor the situation to ensure affected voters are able to cast their ballot for the upcoming elections. Hawaii Revised Statutes §11-92.3 allows polling places to be consolidated or designated absentee mail precincts during states of emergency.

Additionally, the Hawaii County Elections Division will be providing outreach by visiting evacuation shelters in Pahoa to provide voter information to affected residents.

For additional information about absentee voting, contact the Hawaii County Elections Division at (808) 961-8277. The Primary Election is on Saturday, August 11 and the General Election is on Tuesday, November 6.